Suction cleaner



Oct, 21, 1941.

D. G. SMELLIE SUCTION CLEANER Filed Dec. 17, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 I INVENTOR Dqnald G. J'mellie ATTORNEY Oct. 21, 1941. D. G. SMELLIE I 7 ,2 5

SUCTION CLEANER Filed Dec. 1'7, 1938 i 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR Donald 6". Jmellie ATTORNEY Oct. 21, 1941. D. G. SMELLIE SUCTION CLEANER- Filed Dec. 17, 1938 '4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Dohald 6'. 8mellie ATTORNEY Patented Oct. .21, 1941 SUCTION CLEANER Donald G. Smellie, Canton, Ohio, assignor to The Hoover Company, North Canton, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application December 17, 1938, Serial No. 246,327

25 Claims.

The present invention relates to suction cleaners in general and-particularly to a new and novel rotary agitator in a suction cleaner. More specifically the invention comprises a rotary agitator for a suction cleaner and which embodies brush elements which are automatically adjustable to compensate for brush wear.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved suction cleaner. It is another object of the invention to provide a new and improved rotary agitator for a suction cleaner. It is another object of the invention to provide a new and improved rotary agitator embodying brush elements subject to wear and automatic means to adjust such elements to compensate for wear. A further object of the invention is to provide a rotary agitator for suction cleaners which embodies within itself means to adjust automatically its agitating elements which are subject to wear. Still another object of the invention is to provide a suction cleaner rotary agitator embodying rigid beating elements and flexible brush elements, the latter being automatically adjustable to compensate for decrease in bristle length. A further object of the invention is to provide a rotary agitator for a suction cleaner which incorporates a covering-contacting feeler which is surface-covering-actuated when the brush bristle length has decreased sufiiciently to require brush adjustment to obtain satisfactory cleaning. These and other more specific objects will appear upon reading the following specification and claims and upon considering in connection therewith the attached drawings to which they relate.

Referring now to the drawings in which preferred embodiments of the present invention are disclosed: a

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a modern suction cleaner embodying an agitator constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevation of an agitator constructed in accordance with the first embodiment of the invention;

Figure 3 is a longitudinal section through the I one side of the agitator of Figure 1 and shows the automatically operated brush-adjusting means positioned therein;

Figure 4 is a transverse section upon the line 4-4 of Figure 3 and illustrates the brush positioned in the new brush position;

Figure 5 is a section upon the line' 5-5 of Figure 3 and discloses the spring means which urges the brush radially outward and the feeler member in its normal position;

Figure 6 illustrates the relationship of parts with the feeler member contacted and pivoted by the covering, the brush being moved to a new radial position;

Figure 7 illustrates the manner of resetting the mechanism after a new brush has been inserted;

Figure 8 is a view in perspective of the positioner frame and the pawl-carrying frame which cooperate with the feeler member and the brush carrier to position the brush;

Figure 9 is a view in perspective of the brush seat frame which is fixedly secured to the agitator and forms a part of the agitator body;

Figure 10 is a view in perspective of the feeler element which is rigidly attached to the pawlcarrying frame;

Figure 11 is a view similar to Figure 3 which illustrates the second preferred embodiment of the invention;

Figure 12 is a, section upon the line l2-I2 of Figure 11 and illustrates the ieeler actuated pawl and the ratchet in their normal agitator operating relationship;

Figure 13 is a section upon the line l3-l3 of Figure 11 and illustrates the position of the parts after the feeler has been pivoted by the covering and the brush shifted to a new position;

Figure 14 is a partial section in the agitator.

upon the line i l-4d of Figure 11 and clearly shows the ratchet in the agitator and its actuating pawl therefor.

In themodern suction cleaner the agitating means comprise a rotary agitator embodying both rigid heating elements and flexible brush elements. The latter are preferably made of animal hairs and are subject to wear with use. Wear results in a decrease in the radial extension of the brush and if not corrected causes the brushing elements to become ineffective. Heretofore manual adjusting means have been provided by which the brush elements could be adjusted by the operator, as for example, by removing and reversing end for end in the agitator body. Such constructions are subject to the severe objection that the operator frequently does not notice the need for adjustment.

In the agitator constructed in accordance with i the present invention, within the agitator itself means are provided which cause the brush elements to be adjusted radially to compensate for wear when such wear has undesirably affected the operating chracteristics of the brush elements. No attention from the operator is required. The construction itself-operating and the agitator with its brush adjustment is removable as a unit from the cleaner and no cooperating structure in the cleaner is required in addition to the parts normally found there. A series of adjustments is provided for which permits the life of the, ordinary brush to be increased greatly and when the last adjustment has been made, and further adjustments are impossible, the removal of the worn brush is readily accomplished and the replacement thereof by a new brush is a simple matter. In Figure 1 is illustrated a sucn, no

tion cleaner in agitatorconstructed in accordance with the present invention is embodied. The cleaner is of the usual and well known type and comprises a main casing formed with a nozzle 1 having front and rearsurfacecontacting lips 2 and 3, respectively, and which includes an air passageway 4"leading to a fan chamber 5; and an exhaust outlet 6 leading therefrom. The casing structure is completed by a motor housing 1 positioned immediately above the fan chamber 5 and containing an unshownv driving motor, the shaft 8 of which extends downwardly through the fan chamber and through the air passageway Within the fan' chamber the motor shaft 8 carries asuction-creating fan 9 and at it lower end within the air passageway drives a pulley ID. A power-transmitting belt ll extends forwardly from the pulley I I] through the passageway 4 into the nozzle where it .connects to the rotatable agitator constructed in accordance with the present invention, which is indicated generally by the reference character [2.

In operation the agitator contacts a surface covering undergoing cleaning between the nozzle lips 2 and 3. A removable dust bag i 3 is attached to th exhaust outlet 6, as in the usual suction cleaner, and supporting Wheels l4 are provided adjacent the nozzle and at the rear of the machine to permit the operator to propel the machine easily and effectively by a force exerted through the handle l5 which is partially'shownl As in the usual suction cleaner, manually adjustable means I 6 are provided by which the rear wheels l4 can be raised and lowered to effect the raising and lowering of the nozzle and the agitator relative to the surface covering to accommodate -,various types of coverings which are cleaned.

Referring now to Figures 2 to 10, inclusive, in particular, the first embodiment of the agitator construction per se is illustrated. The agitator is seen to comprise an elongated cylindrical body 20 which is formed substantially midway of its length with a grooved pulley portion 2|. Body 20 is hollow and has each of its ends closed by an end plate 22 which is centrally cupped to seat a bearing 23, the inner race of WhiCh 'S8atS upon an elongated shaft 24 which extends the entire length of the agitator body and from the opposite ends thereof to be supported within the cleaner nozzle in any suitable manner. A thread guard 25 is screw threaded on to each end of the agitator shaft and overhangs the adjacent end plate 22 to provide a protective relationship which prevents the accumulation of foreign material upon the supporting bearing 23 adjacent thereto. Helically extended rigid beater elements or bars 21. extend from end to end of the agitator body 20 with the exception of the centrally located pulley 2l. Elements 2'! are of smooth polished metal which are not subject to wear and the radial extension of which does not vary, to any appreciable extent, throughout the life of the cleaner. It is these elements which impart the positive vibration to the covering. Axially extending brush elements 28, 28 are positioned upon the opposite sides of the centrally located pulley 2| and are automatically adjustable in a manner which comprises the present invention. These elements cooperate with the rigid beating elements 2'! and perform an agitating, pile straightening, and litter removal effect which is very desirable.

Each brush element 28 comprises a series of flexible brush tufts 29 carried by a rigid back 30 28 is fixedly secured, by means of removable' screws 33 to a brush carrier 32 by which it is closely enclosed. Brush carrier 32 is itself slidably positioned within the brush seat 34 which is formed in a pressed plate 35, the edges of which have the. curvature of body 20 and are secured thereto by'scre ws ,36. ,As the ends of the brush seat 34 are open a protecting pin 38 is provided upon the carrier 32 which is slidable in a slot 31 formed in a side wall of the brush seat, the two cooperating in an obvious manner to prevent the axial displacement of the brush. 1

The brush 28 extends beyond the normal periphery of the agitator body. 20 a distance which is substantially equal tothe height of the beater elements 21 thereaboves Stated .difierently, the radial distances separating the ends of the brushes and the outermost surfaces of the beater elements from the axis of agitator rotation are substantially equal. In some instances it is desirable that the brush elements have a slightlygreater radial extension. So long as this relationship exists between the radial extensions of the brush and beater elements, satisfactory agitator operation is obtained, When, however, wear has decreased the bristle length so that the radial extension of the brush has been diminished, it is necessary in order to obtain the brushing effect that the brush be adjusted radially outward. h

To accomplish the outward radial movement of the brush resulting from wear there is provided within the agitator body a mechanism the primary actuating element of which comprises a feeler element 40 which is formed from a U-shaped plate having its outer extremity rolled upon itself to' provide a smooth surface-contacting contour and having its side extremities bent at right angles to provide supporting ears. Element 40 normally extends inwardly into the agitator body along the side of the brush seat 34, the plate 35 being suitably out out at 4| adjacent the brush seat to permit the feeler element to have a limited circumcerential displacement, as indicated by the dotted and full lines of Figure 6. Feeler 40 is rigidly connected to a pivoted pawlcarrying frame 42 within the body 20 by means of small clamping screws and nuts 43 and 44, respectively. No relative movement is possible between the feeler 40 and the pawl-carrying frame 42 which is seen to com-prise spaced end plates rigidly connected by a connecting shaft 45 which insures synchronous movement, one end plate being provided with a pivoted pawl 46 for a pur- I pose which will be apparent.

Pawl-cairying frame 42 is'itself pivotally supported from the interior of the agitator body 20 at a point substantially diametrically opposed to the brush seat 34, by a supporting shaft 41 which is itself carried by a bracket 48 secured by screws 49 to the interior surface of that body. As is clearly illustrated in Figures 4, 6 and 7. the pawl 46 is carried on the frame 42 upon substantially the opposite side of the central agitator-support- 'ing shaft 24 from the feeler 40. This relationa rotating force upon the pivoted unit comprising the pawl-carrying frame 42 and the feeler element 4!] in a counter-clockwise direction about the supporting shaft 41, as illustrated in Figures 4 to '7 inclusive. It normally holds the feeler 40 against the side of the brush seat 34, as illustrated in Figures 4 and 5 and returns it to that position after it has been pivoted therefrom. The second coil spring is indicated by the reference character 52 and is also positioned upon the supporting shaft 41 adjacent one end plate of the pawl-carrying frame 42. One end of this spring is rigid with an end plate of the frame 42 and the other end underlies a shoulder ,upon the pivoted pawl 46 to urge that element in a clockwise direction, as illustrated in Figures 4, 6 and 7. The third spring 53 is intact a pair of. springs of the leaf type one end of each being carried by the supporting bracket 48 at spaced points thereon, but within the length of the brush seat 34, and the other end of each being extended around the agitator shaft and into contact with the underside of the brush carrier 32 to exert an outward radial force thereon.

A second frame is also carried by the supporting shaft 41 for pivotal movement thereon and is indicated generally by the reference character 56. This frame, called the brush positioner frame, is seen tocomprise two end plates which are supported directly by the shaft 41 and which are connected for conjoint movement by a connector bar 51. Each end plate of the brush positioner is formed with an arcuate slot 58 the outer or lower side of which is formed as a series of steps or seats 59, each of which is adapted to receive and seat an axially projecting pin 60 on each end of the brush carrier 32. The slots and seats at the opposite ends of the frame 56 are identical and are so arranged that with the pins 60 seated upon the seats 59 at the inner or upper ends of the slots 58 the brush carrier and the brush have their inner radial positions. With the pins 60 seated in the seat 59 at the outer or lower end of the slot 58 the brush and brush carrier correspondingly have their outer radial positions. The edge of one plate of the frame 56 adjacent the pawl 46 is formed as a toothed sector, indicated at 62, the teeth being adapted to receive and'seat the pawl 46 carried by the frame 42. The sector teeth are so arranged that the movement of the frame 56 relative to the frame 42 which is sufflcient to advance the pawl 46 one tooth to an adjacent tooth is also sufficient to rotate the frame 56 enough to advance the pins 60 from one pair of seats 59 to an adjacent pair of seats which are at a greater radial displacement from the axis of agitator rotation. It is seen that there are in fact two pivotal units within the agitator body. The first unit comprises the feeler 40 and the pawl-carrying frame 42 to which it is rigidly connected. The second unit comprises the brush positioner frame 56 which is connected to the first unit and positioned relative thereto by the pawl 46.

'Ihe operation of this first embodiment of the invention is as follows:

With the agitator provided with a new brush which extends toa radial distance substantially equal to or greater than the radial extension of the beater elements the agitator will rotate in the cleaner operation to effect covering agitation 'rier 32.

the lifted surface covering undergoing cleaning to .contact the feeler 40 which will be pivoted by the frictional resistance of that contact from the dotted line position adjacent the brush seat 34 in Figure 6 to the full line position illustrated in that figure. .The angle of pivotal movement is determined by the contact of the pawl-carrying frame 42', which moves with the feeler with the side of the brush seat 34 opposite to the feeler element 40. In the new brush relationship the pawl 46 carried by the frame 42 was in contact with the lowest'tooth of the sector 62 formed on the adjacent end plate of the brush positioner. 56. The pivotal movement of the pawl-carrying frame causes the brush positioner 56 also to pivot I under the force exerted through the pawl 46 and the frame 56 and each end plate thereof rotated in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Figures 4 to 6, about the supporting shaft 41 a distance sufficient to permit the pins 60, 60 on the brush carrier 32, to move under the force exerted by the springs 53 from the innermost seat 59 to the adjacent seat which has a greater radial extension. Centrifugal force acting on the brush and its carrier would assist the springs 53.

Immediately the brush has been moved to a greater radial displacement the covering is more efiectively deflected by the brush and the feeler element, which follows immediately thereafter, no longer makes contact with the covering. It thereupon reassumes its original position adjacent the brush seat 34, as illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, under the pivoting force of the coil spring 5| acting upon the connector of the frames 42. No further movement of the feeler takes place until the brush has again become worn at which time the action just described is repeated and results in the movement of the brush radially outward by the same means and to the same degree.

The number of adjustments which can be made depends upon the wishes of the designer and is primarily controlled by the available length of bristles of the brush, it being recognized that i when this length has been decreased below a certain point the brush is rendered too stiff for proper cleaning:

After the brush has been finally adjusted to its outermost radial position and further adjustment is no longer possible it becomes desirable after it has again worn down to replace it. This is accomplished simply by removing the brush-securing screws 33 which permits the brush element 28 to be removed fromits car- A new brush is then positioned and secured by the same screws. It is necessary in addition, however, to reposition the adjusting mechanism and this is, accomplished in a very simple manner by inserting a small tool 63 through an aperture 64 in the agitator body 20 and into contact with the pawl 46 to disengage it from the sector 62. A radial force then exerted upon the brush 28, as illustrated in Figure '7, causes the brush element to move inwardly into contact with the cammed upper surface of the slot 58 andcontinued inward radial force causes the brush positioner 56 to be rotated in a oounter-c1ockwise direction, as illustrated in Figures 4, 5 and 6. When further inward radial movement of the brush is prevented by the contact of the pin 60 with the upper end of the slot 58 the tool 63 is withdrawn thereby permitting the pawl 46 to reengage the inner tooth of the sector 62 and to fix the positioner 56 relative to the pawl-carrying 60 again seat sirable' the positioning of the brush at a greater radial distance from the axis of rotation. When the bristle length is proper the feeler element does not contact the covering undergoing cleaningbut approachesthat contact as' the bristle length decreases The initial contact of the covering with the feeler may not operate the adjustment butwhen the frictional contact of the surface covering against the feeler is suificient to cause the pivoting action the unit operates as aforedescribed.

. The adjustment for a single brush has been described but it is to be understood that each brush is provided with its own adjusting mechanism and that adjustment for each takes place as required. 4 v

Referring now specifically to Figures 11 to 14, inclusive, the second preferred embodiment is illustrated. The agitator of this embodiment in its general'features is identical to that of the first embodiment, the agitator body, its end plates, supporting bearings and central'shaft being as in the first embodiment, as are the beater elements and brush'elements. In-this embodiment, however, a different type of adjustment is present which embodies the general features of the first embodiment but with variations.

As in the first embodiment the agitatorbody 20 is rotatably supported upon a central shaft 24 and carries upon its periphery helically extending beater elements 21. Axially extending brush elements 28 including bristle tufts 29 and a rigid back 30, as in the first embodiment, are slidingly mounted for radial movement in the brush seat plates formed with the seats 34 as in the first embodiment but with the difference that the brush carrier 32 is omitted and the brush back is slidable and supported directly in the brush seat. In this embodiment the radial movement of the brush in'the brush seat is accomplished by the rotation of threaded bolt elements 1| ateach end of the brush back which are carried by the brush seat 34 and which extend in screw threaded relationship into the brush back. These bolt elements are provided at their innerends, and on the underside of the brush seat, with small ratchets 12 which, when rotated, cause the bolts 1| to force the brush radially outward in its seat.

To cause the adjusting bolts 'H to rotate when the brush 28 needs adjustment, the feeler element 40 of the first embodiment is. again provided and is rigidly secured to the pawl-carrying frame 42, as in the first embodiment. This frame is again pivotally' mounted on the supporting shaft 41 carried by the bracket 48 and, as in the first embodiment, the coil spring 5i exerts a pivoting force upon the connecting rod extending between the end plates of the frame 42 to hold the feeler 40' against the side of the brush seat 34. i

In this second embodiment, however, a pair of pawls 46 are provided, one on each end plate of the frame 42, and each is provided with its own pivoting spring 14 which normally holds the pawl against the ratchet 12. The presence of the pair of ratchets 12 and bolts. H .in this embodiment necessitates the presence of-two pawls. The positioner 56' of the first embodiment with its spaced seats and sector is eliminated in this construction. k v s 1 A The operation of the agitator constructed in accordance with this second embodiment of the invention is as follows:

With the brush new and of su'flicient radial extension the adjustingmeans remains inoperative and the radial position of the brush is fixed. As wear makes necessary an' increased radial .extension of the brush the brush fails to keep the surface covering undergoing cleaning from con.- tact with the feeler element 40 and, as in the first embodiment, a point is reached at which the frictional resistance of theco'ntact of the feeler element 40 with the surface covering is sufficient to pivot the feeler 40 with its carrying frame 42, and against the pivoting force of the spring 5|, from th position illustrated in Figure 12 to the position illustrated in Figure 13. This movement of the feeler causes the frame 42 to pivot. in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Figures 12 and 13, and causes each pawl 46 to rotate the adjacent ratchet 12. 12 results directly in the rotation of the threaded bolts H which rotates in their threaded seats in the brush back 30 causing that element, tobe advanced radially within the brush seat 34. As the feeler element passes from contact with the surface covering upon the rotation of the agitator the spring 5| causes the frame 42 and the feeler to be pivoted again to their initial position and the pawl 46 advances into contact with an adjacent tooth of the ratchet 12. If the advancement of the brush 28 has been sufficient to give the desired contact between the brush and the surface covering then during the next rotation of the agitator and the contact of the brush with the surface covering, the feeler element 40 will not contact the covering and will not be again pivoted to advance the brush. If, however, the advancement of the ratchet '12 by a single tooth is not sufiicient to advance the brush 28 a satisfactory distance then feeler element 40 will again be contacted by the covering and again pivoted and a second adjustment of the brush will take place. This will continue until the brush 'adjustment is proper and without supervision by the operatorfor the relationship between the.

radial extension of the feeler 40 and the proper radial extension of the brush-28v is such that when the brush has its proper extension the feeler element 40 will not be pivoted by the covering undergoing cleaning. a

This second embodiment of the invention has the advantage that a greater number of adiustments is possible than in thefirst embodiment,

it being possible to advance the brush radially This rotation of the ratchet 2,260,235 et is permissible and is not prevented by the pawl' 46 which merely slides over the teeth when the ratchet rotates in that direction.

To insert a new brush, the brush is placed in the brush seat with the bolt H extending into the threaded openings in the brush back adapted to receive it. The bolt 1| must be rotated at each end of the brush back to advance it sufliciently to seat the brush back at the bottom of the brush seat 34 and this requires that the pawls 46 be held in an inoperative position. This is accomplished by the insertion of a small tool 63 through the opening 64, as in the first embodiment, and into contact with a projection formed upon each pawl to move it against the force exerted by the springs 14. While the pawl is so held in an inoperative position thebolt-ll is advanced into the brush seat. The operation is identical at each end of the brush and with each brush in the agitator.

I claim:

1. In a rotary agitator for a suction cleaner,.

decrease in radial extension of said element by I wear during rotation to actuate said positioning means to move said element radially to com pensate therefor.

2. A rotary agitator for suction cleaners comprising a rotatable body, an agitating element carried by said body and subject to wear with use, means carried by said body adjustabiy positioning said element radially relative .to said body, and means carried by said body automatically operative upon a predetermined decrease-in the radial projection of said element effected by wear during rotation to actuate said positioning means.

3. A rotary agitator for suction cleaners including a body, an agitating element carried by said body and adapted to contact a surface undergoing cleaning, gauge means to determine the effectiveness of the contact of said element with a surface undergoing cleaning during rotation, and means operatively connected to said gauge means to adjust said element radially relative to said body.

4.,A rotary agitator for suction cleaners including a rotatable body, an agitating element radially adjustable on said body and adapted to contact a surfaceundergoing cleaning in the rotation of the agitator, and-element-adjvsting means carried by said body to adjust said element radially and including a surface-operated element.

5. A rotary agitator for suction cleaners including a rotatable body, an agitating element radially adjustable on said body and adapted to contact a surface undergoing cleaning in the rotation of the agitator, a feeler on said body nor-' mally protected by said element from surface contact with said element at a predetermined radial extension, and means connected to said cleaning and adapted to be contacted by a surface with the radial extension of said element decreased to a predetermined extent, and means operatively connected to said projection to move said element to a greater radial extension upon a predetermined contact of said projection with a surface undergoing cleaning.

7. In a suction cleaner, a casing including a nozzle, suction-creating means connected to said nozzle, a rotary agitator in said nozzle adapted to contact a surface covering undergoing cleaning and including a body and a radially adjustable flexible brush subject to wear in use and of suflicient strength to depress a suction-lifted covering during agitator rotation, a gauge element movably carried by said body an'gl, adapted to be ,contacted by a suction-lifted s'iirface coverin undergoing cleaning with the radial extension of said brush reduced below apredetermined exfeeler to advance said element radially upon a covering undergoing cleaning making a suflicient contact with said feeler.

6. A rotary agitator for suction cleaners including a rotatable body, an agitating element radially adjustable on said body andadapted to contact a surface undergoing cleaning in the rotation of the agitator, a radial projection on said body normally protected by said element from forceful contact with a surface undergoing and during rotation, said brush being of sufficient strength to depress a suction-lifted covering during agitator rotation, and means operated by the contact of said contactable element with a surface covering to adjust said brush element radially.

9. In a suction cleaner, a casing including a nozzle, suction-creating means connected to said nozzle, a rotary agitator in .said nozzle adapted to contact a surface covering undergoing cleaning and including a radiallyadjustable flexible brush element subject to wear in use and a surface- ,contactable element adapted to make contact under predetermined conditions with a surface covering undergoing cleaning lifted by the suction in said nozzle, said brush element having sufficient strength to depress a suction-lifted covering during agitator rotation, and means operated by the contact of said contactable element with said surface covering to increase the radial extension of said brush element, characterized in that said predetermined conditions comprise the decrease in the radial extension of said brush element resulting from wear,

10. In a rotary agitator for a suction cleaner, a rotatable body, a brush element seated in said body for radial adjustment, adjustable brushpositioning means, located within said body determining the position of said brush element in said seat, and means extended from operative relationship with said first-mentioned means within said body to a position exterior of said body and adapted to receive from a surface covering undergoing cleaning an actuating force to adjust said brush-positioning means. I d

11. In a rotary agitator for a suction cleaner, a rotatable body, a brush element seated in said body for radial adjustment, adjustable brushpositioning means located within said body determining the position of said brush element in said seat, a pivoted feeler extended from within said body to a position adjacent said brush, and a pawl and toothed sectorabetween said feeler 19. In a rotary agitator for a suction cleaner,

- an agitating element, adjustable rigid means fixing the radial-extension of said element, and surface-actuated means to adjust-automatically said rigid means. to change said radialextension.

20. In a rotary agitator, a non-rotating shaft,

an agitating element mounted for. rotation about i said shaft, adjustable means fixing the radial brush including a covering-actuated element extended exteriorly of said body.

13. -In a rotary agitator for a suction cleaner, a rotatable body, a brush element, a brush carrier movably' seating said element in said body for radial adjustment, and means to adjust said carrier radially upon a predetermined decrease in the radial extension of said element including a positioner embodying a plurality of carrierretaining stops and formed with a toothed sector. a pivoted pawl-carrying frame, a pawl on said frame adapted to contact the teeth of said sector and to adjust said positioner upon the pivoting of said frame, and an actuating element carried by said frame and extended exteriorly of said body, to receive a force to pivot said frame from a surface covering undergoing cleaning,

14. In a rotary agitator for a suction cleaner, a body including an agitating element seat, an agitating element adjustable in said seat, means to advance said element radially in said seat in-;

cluding a ratchet, a, pawl movably mounted in said body to actuate said ratchet to adjust said brush, and means to move said pawl relative to said ratchet including a surface-contactable element extended exteriorly of said body.

15. In a rotary agitator for a suction cleaner, a body including an agitating element seat, an agitating element adjustable in said seat, means to advance said element radially in said seat including a rotatable member extended in screw threaded relationship relative to said agitating element, a ratchet carried by said member, a pawl to advance said ratchet step-by-step, and

means to actuate said pawl relative to said ratchet includinga feeler adapted to contact a surface being cleaned exteriorly of said body and to exert a force therefrom to said pawl.

16. Ina rotary agitator for a suction cleaner, a body including an agitating element seat, an agitating element adjustable in said seat, means to advance said element radially in said seat including a step-by-step mechanism, and a covering-actuated element carried by said body to actuate said mechanism.

17. In a rotary agitator for a suction cleaner,

a brush, a radially extended member connected in screw threaded relationship to said brush,

and means to rotate said threaded member to advance said brush radially including a surfacecovering actuated element operatively connected to said threaded member.

. 18. In a rotary agitator for a suction cleaner,

a brush, a radially extended member connected in screw threaded relationship to said brush, and.

means to rotate said threaded member to advance said brush radially, a ratchet rotatable with said member, a movable pawl to rotate said ratchet, a feeler element operatively connected to said pawl and extended to a surface-contactable position, and means rotatably supporting said parts,

extension of said element relative'to'said shaft, 1

and a surface-contactable. element. operatively connected to said adjustable means. and movable under-a force-received fromasurface covering to actuatesaid adjustable means. i

21.. In a rotary. agitator-for a suction-. cle aner,

a hollow cylindrical body, a stationary shaft extended through and rotatablysupporting said body, an elongated brush extended from. within said body to a point radially therebeyond, means,

within said body. controlling the radial position of said brush, and surface-actuated means be-- tween said last-mentioned means and, the exterior of said body to convey an adjusting force from a surface undergoing cleaning to said lastmentioned means. I

22. In a rotary agitator for a suctioncleanenia rotatable hollow cylindrical body, a flexible agitating element in said body extended radially therebeyond, element-positioning means in .said

body rotatable therewith and adjustable upon re-' ception of an actuating force, and force-receiv ing-and-transmitting means operatively conj nected to said element-positioning means and extended externally of said body into a surfacecontacting position having a radial extension substantially equal to the minimum radial extension permitted said agitating element. I

23.1 In a rotary agitator, anagitating element, means rotatably and adjustably supporting said element, a surface-actuated trigger rotatable with said element, and means to transmit force from said trigger to said supporting means to adjust said element.

24. In a rotary agitator, an agitating element,

means supporting said element for rotation and for radial adjustment relative to the axisof rotation, a trigger rotatable with said element and extended radially from the axis of rotation to a position in which it is normally protected from surface contact by saidagitating element when 1 the latter has its normal radial extension but which is adapted to be contacted and moved by surface contact when unprotected by said element, and means to transmit force from said trigger to said first-mentioned means to effect adjustment of saidelement radially.

25. In a suction cleaner, anozzle, a suctioncreating means connected to said nozzle, an agintator rotatably mounted in said nozzle andv in-g cluding an. agitating element subject to wear,- means supporting said element for rotation and for radial adjustment, a force-receiving element extended in suflicient proximity to said agitating element to be protected thereby from moving contact with a surface covering lifted into contact with said agitator by the nozzle suction with a said element extended to its optimum radial extension but being adapted to receive a moving force from said covering with said element extended to a lesser radial extension, and means to transmit a force from said force-receiving element to said supporting means to effect adjustment of the latter to move said agitating element to its optimum radial extension.

DONALD G. SMELLIE. 

